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James Hiram Waller
Incident
Game Warden James Waller was shot and killed from ambush while patrolling the Ogeechee River in Chatham County with another man.
They were in the middle of the river about three-quarters of a mile above Morgans Bridge when two shotgun blasts were fired from the river bank and Warden Waller was hit in the neck. His companion was hit with birdshot and slightly wounded. He beached the boat on the opposite bank and ran to a nearby highway where he flagged down a motorist. When help arrived at the location of the boat they found that Warden Waller had died.
Shotgun shells found on the river bank indicated that two shotguns were used, a 16 gauge and a 12 gauge. Bloodhounds led Chatham County officers to a nearby home where two men, 19 and 24, were apprehended and charged with murder.
Warden Waller was survived by his wife and five children.
Survivors
Warden Waller was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Game Warden Waller served with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
Thank you for your service to the Social Circle community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Game Warden Waller.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Georgia Department of Natural Resources has lost 10 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1927, 1 officer at Georgia Department of Natural Resources was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 6 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 2.
In 1927, 4 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 42nd heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1927, 220 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1927, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 39. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Georgia Department of Natural Resources whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 54.5; the middle age was 49.
James was 39. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38.
James was 39. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
James was 39. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
August holds 28.6% of these deaths at Georgia Department of Natural Resources, more than any other month. Saturdays: 28.6%.
August holds 10.6% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Saturdays: 20.6%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 70% of all 10 deaths at Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 28.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.7% of all 905 deaths in GA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 8.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Georgia Department of Natural Resources has 10 officers remembered here, James among them.
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James Hiram Waller
Aug 20, 1927
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Robert Clayton Sizemore Nov 9, 1928
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James Edward Morton Dec 13, 1928
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Lonnie F. Boggus Aug 21, 1930
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Asa Edwin Thornton
May 19, 1962
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William Earl Hobbs
Jul 21, 1967
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Charles Callaway Mercer, Jr.
Nov 29, 1968
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William Lee Bryant
Dec 23, 1970
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Rocky Daren Wainwright
Aug 19, 1999
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Stanley Curtis Elrod
Sep 3, 2020
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 42-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Georgia Department of Natural Resources are honored on badge.nw.
